To eliminate the evil of sugar, hundreds of sugar-free products were introduced to American diets over the past several decades. Nonetheless, Americans continued to gain weight.
Fats were the next nutrient to be demonized; consequently, a ubiquitous spate of low or nonfat products appeared on grocery shelves. Once again, Americans continued to gain weight.
Carbohydrates, especially pasta, rice and bread, became the next sinful indulgence, especially as the Atkins’ diet peaked in popularity. Not unsurprisingly, the percentage of overweight Americans increased.
While the presence of surplus pounds (even among children) remains a constant source of worry for public health officials and educators, food fads change, if not with the seasons than with the latest conclusions from research studies.
The latest reversal of fortune focuses on fat. Instead of being viewed as the enemy of fitness, fat, or at least some forms of fat, is emerging as an essential nutrient that can enhance health. Some consumers have yet to be persuaded that any fat is good for us. Indeed, they are confused about whether to eat fat, how much and what kind.
Here are the latest research results, some of which you may find contradictory:
Good Fats Promote Heart Health: According to a recent study published in American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, a diet high in fat can benefit the heart. But researchers are not suggesting individuals consume a supersized platter of French fries. They warn that not all fats are created equal. Certain fats (trans and saturated fats) are detrimental to our health, while monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, are healthful for the heart. With heart disease the leading cause of death in the United State, these distinctions on fat provide useful guidelines.
Distinctions among Heart-Healthy Fats: Three healthy fats, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids, seem to protect the heart and promote general health. Monounsaturated fat, which lowers LDL “bad” cholesterol and increases HDL “good” cholesterol, is found in avocados, canola and olive oil. This fat has also been shown to aid weight loss efforts. Polyunsaturated fat, which also lowers bad cholesterol, is found in nuts and vegetable oil. In addition to other health benefits, Omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon, flaxseed and walnuts, protect against diabetes and arthritis.
High-Fat Diet May Help Patients Suffering From Kidney Disease: A high-fat, low-carb diet reversed kidney disease in experimental mice. Mice with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes were placed on a kerotenic diet (87 percent of calories from fat, with some protein and few carbohydrates) while the control group of mice was fed a standard high-carbohydrate diet. After eight weeks, kidney disease was reversed in the mice fed a high-fat diet. These results appear both promising and puzzling for diabetes patients with kidney disease; obviously, more research will be needed researchers recommend this high-fat diet for humans.
High-Fat Diets of Monkey Mothers Trigger Anxiety In Offspring: For some time now, researchers were aware that children whose mothers were obese during pregnancy were more likely to be obese. Later studies suggest that the mother’s diet during pregnancy may also have an impact on her child’s psychological development. In an experiment with monkeys, researchers found that the offspring of mothers who consumed a high-fat diet were much more likely to suffer anxiety when exposed to stressful stimuli. Based on these results, pregnant mothers have yet another reason to eat a healthful diet.
What can we take away from this research? Reading the somewhat conflicting studies on fat reinforces an idea introduced by Alexander Pope, an 18th century English poet, that I’ve paraphrased here:
In fat, as fashions, the same rule will hold;
Alike fantastic, if too new, or old:
Be not the first by whom the new are tried,
Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.
Pope is right. Moderation, rather than demonization or uncritical acceptance of the latest finding, remains the most prudent course.
But being prudent doesn’t mean we have to be bored. In an effort to promote fitness, I’ll continue to share exciting breakthrough studies on food and its impact on our bodies.
Photo courtesy of Brybs
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